Police killed Ateeq alias Bullet Sudhir, one of main accused of Sukhanand Shetty Murder case in an encounter in Othinani, 18 km from Bhatkal at about 6:30 am. According to Police Inspector Venkatesh Prasanna, Sudhir was one of the main accused in the murder of BJP leader Sukhanand Shetty. He was hiding in Jog (Shimoga district). His house was raided on Monday and hence arrested. His special police team was bringing him to Mangalore, on the way they halted the night in Bhatkal and continued in the morning.
As there was some problem with the vehicle they had to stop in Othinani at about 6.30am. Sudhir tried to capitalise on this opportunity and grabbed the loaded revolver from a constable and jumped out of the vehicle. The police warned him but he fired on the police party and the police managed to duck and fell on the ground. Sudhir fired 3 bullets in their direction and the police responded by returning the firing. Police fired 4 bullets towards him of which 2 found the target. The injured Sudhir was taken to the Byndoor hospital where he was declared dead.
Dakshina Kannada SP Mr. B Dayananda and other top police officials immediately rushed to Byndoor and visited the spot where this encounter was held. Talking to Sahilonline Mr. B Dayananda told that the Bullet Sudhir was wanted in three other cases, including the Nelyadi murder case in 1998, in which he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2001.
But while on parole he was caught by the police in 2003 in a dacoity case in Uppinangdy. But he escaped while being taken to jail in Mysore. From then he had been absconding Mr. Dayananda also informed that he was one of the main accused of BJP leader Sukhanand Shetty murder case which happened in 1 December 2006.
According to the Assistant SP Mr. Satish Kumar, Sudhir had many aliases. When he was arrested in Bangalore in Francis murder case he said that his name is Ravi. Yesterday when he was arrested he said that his name is Ateeq, but his original name is Sudheer and he is known well as Bullet Sudhir. He hails from Nelyadi under Uppinangady police station limits. According to the records he was son of one Alexandar of Hosamajalu. After the death of Alexandar the family moved to Bangalore and they are currently living there.
According to the Assistant SP, Sudhir was a contract killer and a member of Goonda Mulki Rafique. According to Assistant SP, Mulki Rafiq had given contract to Sudhir to kill BJP leader Sukhanand Shetty. Replying to a query of Sahilonline, SP Mr. Dayananda told that police had arrested 10 persons in connection with Sukhananda Shetty murder case and Sudhir was the eleventh accused who was arrested yesterday but killed today.
However, It is interesting to note that the encountered Sudhir and the police team which was headed by Police inspector Venkatesh Prasanna had stayed in Bhatkal at Hotel Kola Paradise. According to the register book of Hotel Kola Paradise, the police team entered the hotel at night 12:05 and they left the hotel by 2:05am. According to the SP and other police officials the encounter took place at about 6:30 am in Othinani which is just 18km from Bhatkal.
http://www.sahilonline.org/english/coastalnews.asp?nid=1968&sid=139983656
